Combined box opener and dispenser



May 14, 1963 T. c. KAss ETAL COMBINED BOX OPENER AND DISPENSER FiledApril 3, 1961 Y Jiffy 2 X453 United States Patent Ofilice 3,089,619COMBINED BOX OPENER AND DISPENSER Theodore C. Kass and Jerry R. Kass,both of RED. 2, Ravenna, Mich. Filed Apr. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 100,136 4Claims. (Cl. 222-81) This invention relates to a dispenser, and moreparticularly to a combined box opener and dispenser. Although combinedbox openers and dispensers are previously known, they do not include thenovel features of this invention. These improvements include the mannerin which the sides of the dispenser body are shaped to form cuttingedges on the sides thereof. These cutting edges cooperate with a bladeformed on the bottom of the dispenser to sever the carton along a lineparallel with the sides of the carton and along lines transverse to theside of the carton. The upwardly and outwardly diverging construction ofthe sides forces the portion of the carton severed downwardly andinwardly, providing for easy insertion of the dispenser.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a dispenser whichis easily insertable in a carton.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a dispenser havinga blade for cutting the carton in one direction and cutting edges formedthereon for severing the carton in a transverse direction to facilitateinsertion of the dispenser in the carton.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a dispenser havingresilient clips for retaining the dispenser on the carton after it hasbeen inserted.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent uponreading the specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dispenser shown located over acarton, the severance lines being shown in phantom on the carton;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view showing the dispenser inserted in acarton; I 7

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section lines IIlI;IIof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section lines IV-IV ofFIG. 1. V j v Basically, this invention relates to a dispenser which isalso utilized to open a carton. The dispenser has a body which includessides and a back. The sides are connected together at the bottom anddiverge upwardly and outwardly, forming a V-shaped member. The ends ofthe sides are flared outwardly to form cutting edges. A cutting blade isaflixed to the bottom of the sides. The front of the body is open andforms a flow path for the contents of the carton to enter the cavityformed by the sides and back. The top of the sides are connected to acollar which in turn is affixed to a top. The collar is extended abovethe top and forms a spout. The spout thus communicates with the bodycavity. The top is also provided with resilient clip members whichdepend downwardly and overlie the body sides. A cap is hingedlyconnected to the top and may be pivoted to a spout covering position.

The dispenser assembly is designated generally as 10. The assemblyincludes the dispenser body 15, blade 26, collar 28, top 30, and cap 38.

Referring more specifically to the details of the invention, FIGS. 1, .3and 4 best show the dispenser body 15.

The dispenser body 15 is generally V-shaped as viewed from the end inFIG. 1. This shape is obtained from side members or legs 16 and 20 whichare connected together along their bottom edge and formed so as todiverge outwardly and upwardly. The ends of the side 16 are bent orflared outwardly to form cutting edges -17 and 18. The ends of side 20are similarly designed to form cutting edges 21 and 22. The purpose forthe cutting edges will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The V-shaped body back 23 is affixed to the sides adjacent the cuttingedges 18 and 22. The back 23 is recessed slightly, as shown in FIG. 3,so that it does not interfere with the cutting edges. The front of thebody is open, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The open front provides aflow path for material contained within a carton to enter the bodycavity 24 formed by sides 16, 20 and back 23.

Aflixed to the joined bottom edges or apex of sides 16 and 20 is acutting blade 26. It is of the shape of the point of a conventionalknife blade having an arcuate portion 26a and a straight portion 26b.The straight portion of the blade is in the same plane as the back 23.The arcuate portion of the blade starts from this plane and continues tothe other end of the body 15. Thus, the blade 26 is of the same width asthe bottom edges of the sides. The blade is sharp to facilitate cuttingof the carton.

v A collar 28 is aflixed to the top edges of sides 16 and 20. The collar28 is a ringlike member and projects above the top edges of sides 16 and20.

Aflixed to the collar 28 is a top 30. The top 30 has a fiat generallyrectangular shaped platform 31 with a centrally disposed aperture whichreceives the upper portion of the collar 28. The portion of the collar28 which extends above the platform 31 forms the spout 36. The top isaflixed to the collar by conventional fastening means.

Formed integral with the platform 31 are side clips 32 and 34. The sideclips 32 and 34 are formed from the top 30 by merely bending the endportions of the platforms 31 downwardly. The ends of the side clips 32and 34- are shown crirnped to increase the resiliency of the members andform a bearing surface which engages the side of the carton to retainthe dispenser in position.

Although not shown, it is to be understood that within the broadestaspect of the invention the side clips 32 and 34 may be extended to apoint just beyond the point of cutting blade 26. A flange of similarlength may be extended from the end of platform 31 along the back 23 ofthe body. This vflange would be placed on the top of the carton, asshown in FIG. 1 and the extended side clips on the sides to properlyposition the dispenser to be inserted in the carton.

A conventional cap 38 is aflixed to one leaf of a hinge 3-9 which isalso secured to the platform 61. The cap 38 may be pivoted to a positionto cover the spout and to an open position.

Although the dispenser assembly 10 may be made from metal, it is to beunderstood that within the broadest aspect of the invention it can alsobe molded from plastic or similar material.

Operation Cereal is normally enclosed in a wax paper bag, shown inphantom as 50, and placed inside the cereal carton 45 (FIG. 1). The foldof the sack is placed adjacent the top of the carton. Due to this foldof the sack 50, it is desirable to place the point of cutting blade 26at a point somewhat below the top so as not to interfere with this fold.Thus, the point of cutting blade 26 is positioned at approximately thejunction point of severance lines 46 and 48.

With the point of the cutting blade '26 properly positioned, pressure isapplied to the top of the dispenser. The blade will puncture the carton45 and the sack 50 and the arcuate cutting surface of the blade 26 willsever the carton and sack 50 along the severance line 46.

Patented May 14, 1963 t 3 When the cutting blade is fully inserted, theseverance line 46 will have been completed.

Continued pressure on the dispenser top 30 will result in the cuttingedges 17 and 21 severing the carton 45 and package 50 along theseverance line 47, and the cutting edges 18 and 22 severing the cartonand package 50 along the. severance line 48. Due to the upwardly andoutwardly diverging shape of sides 16 and 20, the portion of the carton45 and package 50 within the severance lines will be folded downwardlyand inwardly as thesernembers are cut. The dispenser is inserted untilthe top platform 31 rests against the carton.

The resilient side clips 32 and 34 will adjust to the particularthickness of the carton and the crimped bearing surface will bearagainst the carton to maintain the dispenser in position.

When the dispenser is fully inserted, the open front allows the materialwithin the carton to flow into the body cavity 24. The collar 28,including spout 36, communicates with the body cavity 24. Thus, when thecap 38 is open, the material within the carton is free to flow into thebody cavity 24 and out the spout 36. When the proper amount of cerealhas been dispensed, the cap 38 is positioned to cover the spout 36 andthe cereal may be stored. Since the dispenser top lies fiat against theside of the carton 45, the carton may be stored as usual.

When the carton is empty, the dispenser is removed by merely pulling itout of the carton. The dispenser thereafter may be inserted in a newcarton.

From the above description it is clear that the dispenser may be readilyinserted in the carton. The arrangement of the cutting blade and thecutting edges in conjunction with the shape of the dispenser bodyprovide novel means for inserting the dispenser in the carton by merelyapplying-pressure to the top of the dispenser. The dispenser isconstructed of a minimum number of parts and therefore provides acompetitive article of manufacture. The dispenser, after being insertedin the carton, assumes a position which is'almost flush with the side ofthe carton thereby facilitating storage. The design of the side clipsprovides a means for adapting the dispenser to cartons of differentthicknesses; however, the resiliency of the side clips maintains thedispenser in position.

While a, preferred embodiment of this invention has been described, itwill be understood that modifications and improvements may be madethereto. Such of these modifications and improvements as incorporate theprinciples of this invention are to be considered as included in thehereinafter appended claims unless these claims by their languageexpressly state otherwise.

We claim:

1. A dispenser for cartons comprising: body means; said body meanshaving upwardly divergent sides and a back forming a cavity with an openfront, the edges of said sides being outwardly flared to form cuttingedges; a cutting blade at the apex of said sides; a top on said body,including a spout communicable with said cavity, whereby pressure onsaid top results in said cutting blade severing said carton in onedirection and said cutting edges severing said carton in a transversedirection allowing insertion of said dispenser into said carton, and thesevered flaps of said carton being depressed along said divergent sideswith said open front being in full communication with material, in saidcarton so that the material can be discharged through said spout.

2. A dispenser for containers comprising: a top having an outlet; ahollow generally V-shaped body having legs extending downwardly fromsaid top to an apex and including an end opening between the legs andcommunicable with said outlet; a cutting means formed at the apex ofsaid V-shaped body; and said legs each having a pair of flared cuttingedges adapted to sever flaps from a container as pressure is applied tosaid top, with said legs causing depression of the severed flaps alongthe sides of the legs to provide free flow of material in said containerthrough said end opening and out said top outlet.

3. The dispenser in claim 2 wherein the cutting means is a bladeextension located at the apex of the legs of said V-shaped body.

4. A dispenser for containers comprising: a top having an outlet; a pairof side members extending from said top converging downwardly towardeach other defining a cavity; at least one open end between said sidemembers; and a blade extension along the apex of said converging sidemembers, whereby flaps severed by said blade are depressed sideways bysaid side members so as not to interfere with flow of material throughsaid open end and out said top outlet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,343,099 Strongson June 8, 1920 2,040,615 Lyon May 12, 1936 2,115,033Mitchell Apr. 26, 1938 2,571,798 Urch Oct. 16, 1951 2,873,885 HellerFeb. 17, 1959

1. A DISPENSER FOR CARTONS COMPRISING: BODY MEANS; SAID BODY FORMING ACAVITY WITH AN OPEN FRONT, THE EDGES OF BACK FORMING WITH AN OPEN FRONT,THE EDGES OF SAID SIDES BEING OUTWARDLY FLARDD TO FORM CUTTING EDGES; ACUTTING BLADE AT THE APEX OF SAID SIDES; A TOP ON SAID BODY, INCLUDING ASPOUT COMMUNICABLE WITH SAID CAVITY, WHEREBY PRESSURE ON SAID TOPRESULTS IN SAID CUTTING BLADE SEVERING SAID CARTONS IN ONE DIRECTION ANDSAID CUTTING EDGES SEVERING SAID CARTON IN A TRANSVERSE DIRECTIONALLOWING INSERTION OF SAID DISPENSER INTO SAID CARTON, AND THE SEVEREDFLAPS OF SAID CARTON BEING DEPRESSED ALONG SAID DIVERGENT SIDES WITHSAID OPEN FRONT BEING IN FULL COMMUNICATION WITH MATERIAL IN SAID CARTONSO THAT THE MATERIAL CAN BE DISCHARGED THROUGH SAID SPOUT,